THIRD PERSON POV

It was three days before the big summit that would be the turning point for the faith of Gavreau. Gisele was on edge as the date to the summit became nearer. Armina insisted that Gisele should be relaxing herself for the sake of her kids, but somehow, she managed to get too overwork herself and just ended up stressing herself even more.

"A cup of darjeeling tea will ease your worries I hope." Armina placed a cup in front of Gisele.

"How can you be so composed about this? Don't you feel any type of anxiety whatsoever?" Gisele smelled the aroma before taking a sip. Literally, she felt her tense muscles begin to relax.

"I'm a witch who’s lived for 400 years. I don't think little matters will make me worried like this." Armina chuckled.

"400 years, huh. Don't you feel tired of living?"

Armina shook her head. "Taking care of Helvisa and the others has been hectic."

Suddenly, they both heard something that they or the other islanders didn’t hear very often.

"Is that ..."

Armina looked out the window. "Oh, ... she's earlier than expected."

Gisele stood up and went out to the balcony followed by Armina. "What the ... is that... a plane?!"

Armina chuckled. "Yes it is, your majesty. Now, let's welcome your guest."

Gisele nodded and went to the front entrance of the palace.

"Mother, is that what I think it is?" Gaultier asked his mother when he walked down the stairs.

"Apparently so, my son. Let's meet our guest."

Gaultier obliged and followed his mother’s footsteps.

The queen and her prince were just straightening their attire when two black limousines drove towards the royal palace ground. Gisele gasped mentally when the flag on the limousine stated that it was the official transporter for the Sacia royal family, one of the strongest monarchs before Grugary Kingdom.

A guard got out of one of the limousines and opened the other limousine’s door.

"Oh my, what a beautiful palace." The Grand Duchess of Sacia Kingdom showed herself.

Gisele was speechless, and her heart was racing. Question after question played inside her mind.

"Grand Duchess Emma, it's been so long." Armina bowed to the grand duchess.

"Armina LeBeau. What a surprise indeed. You haven't aged a bit!" The grand duchess leaned into the witch. "You witches are really lucky."

Armina laughed. "Grand duchess, may I introduce, the ruler of this kingdom, Queen Gisele, and her son, Prince Gaultier."

The grand duchess and the queen both showed their respect to one another.

"I wonder... where is that woman?"

Armina and Gisele looked at each other.

"Do you mean Helvisa, my duchess?"

Emma nodded.

"She's probably somewhere..." Armina tried to explain.

"By all means, grand duchess, please, make yourself at home." Gisele invited the duchess in.

"Don't mind if I do."

Emma and Gisele were automatically in work mode as Armina served them tea and refreshments.

"Oh, Emma?"

The duchess turned around, and her eyes landed on Helvisa in a maid uniform. Her eyes widened, and she was having a hard time controlling her laughter. She’d never seen Helvisa being this ... girlish before. "Oh my, ... Helvisa Balzac, you look ... different."

Helvisa kept her stoic look and sighed. "Shut up, Emma."

Gisele was worried that the Duchess might feel offended by how Helvisa treated her. ”I’m sorry for her rudeness, grand duchess. She can be quite hostile."

Emma chuckled. "Oh, I know. We were mar--- ..." She didn't get to finished her sentence when Helvisa threw a biscuit at Emma's face.

"Some things are meant to be a secret forever." Was all Helvisa said before continuing to drink like she normally did.

Emma remembered their truce and gave her a nervous smile.

"Oh no, my duchess, you have a smudge." Armina took a clean tissue and wipe the smudge off. "All done."

Emma chuckled. "This brings back memories."

Helvisa cleared her throat.

”Cheer up, Helvisa. Sooner or later, people will know."

Helvisa sighed, and she pinched the bridge of her nose.

"Grand Duchess Emma, I don't know how to expressed my gratitude that you are willing to spare some time to even be here right now."

Emma smiled at Gisele. "I can't help it. That girl over there helped me a lot when I was in trouble. This is how I want to repay my debt by helping you her employer." She tilted her head and gave the queen her sweet smile.

Gisele smiled back, but in her mind, she wondered how did Helvisa and her gang manage to get such powerful rulers to be in debt with them.

"All we have to do now is wait for two more of our guests.”

That caught Emma's attention. The duchess motioned for Armina to lean down. "What do you mean two more?" She questioned.

"Well, Helvisa thought that adding more coal to the fire would make the best defensive line, so she called them."

Emma suddenly felt a chill go through her spine. "And who might they be?" She asked.

Armina placed a finger on her lips. “It's a secret, my duchess."

Gisele couldn’t help but to think that these two has history together. "If I may interrupt, how did you get so close with Armina and Helvisa?"

Emma placed her cup down. "Believe it or not, they used to raise me. Reina and Eris, too." She turned to Helvisa who was reading a book. "I was only six when my mother passed away. Miraculously, these four went to my doorstep and asked for help because that day, a storm had hit my country." She smiled. "Long story short, they became my chamberlains until I was twenty years old. Of course, the people in the palace were surprised to see they didn't even age a day, and that's how we knew their secret." She turned gloomy. "Until those scientific logical people barged into my palace and demanded their heads as a display in the city's square."

Gisele sensed some anger.

"I could never let my wi----"

once again, Helvisa threw a piece of biscuit.

"Sorry.. I meant my ex wi----."

Again, Helvisa threw a biscuit.

Emma was getting annoyed by how Helvisa treated her. She went to the demon girl and leaned in. "Don't force me to use our princess as a way to show what you really are, Helvisa. You're lucky she didn't possess your antics."

Helvisa smiled when she heard about her princess.

Gisele felt a tug. She’d never seen Helvisa smile like that before. She tried as hard as she could to banish the feeling of jealousy in her heart. But, somehow,, it was failing.

***

"How is she doing?" Helvisa asked Emma about their kid.

"She's doing well for a five-year-old. Why do you ask? Do you miss her? You know there’s nothing wrong with visiting your own kid once in a while."

Helvisa looked in the distance again. "Your husband will hate the idea. I mean you did tell her that he's the father after all."

Emma smiled. "I did, but, for a five-year-old, she's not like any other kid. She's quite bright. You know. Like her 'father'."

Helvisa smiled.

"She always asks me why is her hair different than her father. She does have your platinum blonde hair while mine and Barnabus both have brown hair."

Helvisa remembered the moment she was born. "Armina did a great job being the midwife at the time."

Emma patted Helvisa’s shoulder. "It's time for you to have your own happy family, Helvisa. How many years do you tend to be alone?" She questioned.

"As long as no one gets hurt, I'm okay with being alone. You were this close to dying, Emma. I don't want anyone to go through what you and the others did."

Emma scoffed. "Those two, why do you even care to call for them? You know my army can attack anyone easily."

Helvisa laughed. "Hey, they're my ex lovers as well okay. Besides with them combined with you, this kingdom will be save."

Emma hated the idea to be working alongside with the two.

"Speaking of them, that looks a lot like Alice's ship in my eyes."

Emma scoffed and wished for that ship to sink.

"That's Alice all right."

Emma puffed her cheek.

"Come on. I don't want her to blabber unnecessary things to Gisele and her kids."

Emma noticed something odd. "You call the queen by her name?"

Helvisa nodded. "Yeah. I don't call or bow to her as a queen. That's too much work."

Emma couldn’t believe what she was hearing. "Helvisa, you never change at all."

They both walked down the stairs.

"Isn't that the point? To never change."

Armina and Reina tried to calm the queen down by telling her it was going to be all right.

"What's wrong?" Helvisa asked.

"Princess Elaria told her that she has a crush on someone from school. She's been too overwhelmed by the fact that her daughter is growing up."

Emma tried so hard not to laugh at the queen's face.

“Get your act together. Princess Alice of Olaria kingdom is here." Helvisa pointed at a carriage that was making its way to the palace.

"Olaria? No way..." Gisele's hands began to tremble.

"My queen, are you all right?" Armina asked.

"First, Grand Duchess Emma, now Princess Alice? Who are you guys?"

Helvisa stopped Armina from speaking. "Like I said when we came back from that meeting, this is all because we made a promise to Gaultier."

The carriage stopped in front of the entrance, and Charlene took the liberty to opened the door. Everyone was in a trance except for Helvisa when princess Alice of Olaria went out of her carriage with the help of Charlene. "Thank you." Alice smiled as Charlene bowed.

Gisele walked down the stairs and greeted the princess. "Welcome, to my humble home. I am Queen Gisele Gavreau."

Alice bowed. "Your majesty."

"Thank you for accepting our invitation to be here. It's almost dinner. My chamberlain will lead you to your room. And I'll let you know when dinner is ready."

Alice thanked the queen and walked up the stairs. "Well well, isn't that Duchess Emma? Where's Barnabus?"

Emma clicked her tongue in annoyance. "Its Grand Duchess for you, princess Alice. And Barnabus is in Sacia, of course."

"Oh, ... probably cheating on you." Alice chuckled as she entered the grand door.

"Shut up, Alice." Helvisa said when Alice was inside.

"Helvisa? Is that you?" Alice literally ran to Helvisa and hugged her. "It's been ten years. And I'm thirty years old now matured and ready to be with you again."

Helvisa didn't react at all. "You perfectly know why you're here. Cut it out."

Alice pouted. "I did a good job raising your so---" Helvisa covered her mouth from speaking.

Armina and Reina looked at each other and shook their head.

Helvisa leaned in. "Don't mention them here. I know I haven't visited them like I used to. But I'll do that when this matter is resolved.”

Alice nodded. "They miss you. They hate their step father, but they always ask about you."

Helvisa smiled.

Gisele was confused by this. It seemed that Helvisa was close to these rulers. Whenever they tried to speak about something, Helvisa always stopped them before they even finished.

"My queen, are you ready to have your bath now?" Reina asked.

"I am."

Reina followed the queen back to her chamber and prepared her bath. "It's ready, my queen." She helped the queen to strip her clothes off and led her to her bathtub.

As soon as Gisele's body hit the temperature wise water, her tensed shoulders began to loosen up. "Reina, I have a question."

Reina poured some lavender oil into the queen's bath.

"Does Helvisa have some history with both Emma and Alice?" She couldn’t contain her curiosity anymore.

"Yes." Reina knew she couldn’t hide the truth from the queen any longer.

"Would you mind if you tell me?"

Reina shook her head. "I am obliged to answer your questions through any means necessary." She stood up and pressed a button on the wall for some music. "Helvisa is the 'father' of their children."

That explanation brought more questions than answers to Gisele.

***

Helvisa looked at the sky before gazing at Emma, Alice and Gisele at the gazebo drinking tea and discussing the situation at hand.

"Are you worried?" Eris asked her friend.

"No. Why should I?"

Eris chuckled. "You've been looking at the sky for days now. I'm sure she will come. She may be angry but I don't think she will back down from her promise."

"She’s probably angry at me for leaving her and him without saying goodbye." Helvisa said and looked at the sky again.

"Don't think that way. They may seem like that." Eris turned to the gazebo. "Emma and Alice will support you all the way."

Helvisa really hoped their last guest could make it. With her kingdom, this war was a sure win. Well, that was what she thought.

"Heads up." Eris placed her hand on Helvisa's shoulder and pointed at a plane lingering inside Gavreau's air space. "She's here. Tomorrow's summit will be done for.”

Helvisa turned around and walked up to the gazebo. "Your last guest is here." She pointed at the planes up in the sky.

"That must be..." Gisele trailed.

Both Emma and Alice scoffed.

"Adelina."

They both showed how annoyed they were knowing that the very person who took Helvisa away from them would be here soon.

"Behave you two. You know very well why I had to leave." Helvisa warned them. "Seriously, you both rule a country, but you two act like children." She informed. "Gisele, you should greet your last guest."

Gisele nodded and went to greet her guest with Armina and Eris.

"I'm serious you two. No funny business. Those children want to live here in harmony with their mother."

Both Emma and Alice watched Reina and the prince and princess running happily around the open field.

"Well, I suppose we can work along side each other for this one time." Emma looked away from saying it in front of Alice.

"Yeah. Agreed."

Helvisa smiled. She always managed to control these two rulers in her grasp.

"Well well, look at what the cat dragged in."

Helvisa placed both hands on Emma and Alice's shoulders to push them down. "Relax."

Empress Adelina of Sliria Kingdom smirked at both Emma and Alice.

They stood up and bowed to their empress.

"Hmmm, apparently you two have manners now." Adelina’s deep blue eyes landed on Helvisa. "Nice meeting you again, Helvisa."

Helvisa greeted the empress with nodding her head. "Likewise." Was all she said.

Armina took this chance to invite the empress to join them.

"Ahh.. black tea. How nice. You remembered my favourite still, Armina."

Armina bowed. "It's always a pleasure to serve such a ruler."

Adelina took a sip of her tea and faced Gisele. "So, where is this ass of a prime minister? How dare he be rude to a royal blood.”

Gisele was confused.

Armina leaned in and explained to her queen.

Gisele began to explain the current situation to the empress.

The empress seemed to have an idea or two on how to defeat such a kingdom before it was too late. "My country has the most advance weaponry money can buy. It will be easy for us to stop them from attacking this island especially by air." Empress Adelina explained.

"Air. Hmm. I didn't even think about that." Emma expressed her thought.

"That's because you always charge without following the rules of war."

Emma clicked her tongue showing how annoyed she was.

"And you, princess, you have the brains, but all you manage to do with your army is let them infiltrate secretly. That's why some of your missions failed. They see through you."

Alice looked away from the empress while mumbling something under her breath.

Adelina looked through the papers regarding the information gathered. "We can use this. Besides, Helvisa and those other three can easily sneak in."

Gisele seemed to have an idea how she could earn the empress title. "Sorry if I say this but, did you use these creatures for your own reason?"

Both Emma and Alice chuckled. They were both thinking about the same thing. Gisele would meet her doom.

Adelina nodded. "Why not? I saved them from being killed by the villagers fifty years ago."

"Fifty years ago?!" Gisele half yelled.

"Wait. How old are you?" Emma asked.

The empress placed the report down and motioned for Armina to pour some more tea. "Well, my real age is seventy years old."

Emma, Alice and Gisele's mouths were ajar.

"Why? I look young?" Adelina chuckled. "Thanks to Armina, I get to be young. Forever."

Armina smiled at the empress.

"Forever? What kind of ritual did you undergo? You don't even age a day?"

The empress shook her head. "That's a secret and no, I don't age. But, Armina did mention that sooner or later, my body will not be able to continued this process. But I don't have to be worried about a thing, my children will take over my place when I'm finally dead." Adelina turned to Helvisa. ”On my husband’s dying moment, he thanked you for all the joy of being a parent you granted us. The late emperor wishes you well."

Helvisa nodded. "I didn't promise to repay the debt for saving us from being decapitated." Helvisa replied.

"Now, back to our discussion, what do you suggest we do about Grugary?" Adelina asked the queen.

"Since we're all here, let's just use every bit of tricks up our sleeves to destroy Grugary's plans."

"I have a thought." Reina suddenly voiced out.

They all turned to the siren, and Reina explained her plan thoroughly.

"We can use that for next week’s meeting. I'm sure they didn't expect us to be there."

"Empress Adelina of Sliria Kingdom." Gaultier stated his admiration. "Mother, do you know who she is?"

Gisele apologised for her son’s rudeness.

"No no. Please explain to us all who I am." Adelina encouraged the little prince.

"Empress Adelina managed to destroy most of her enemy's territorial base and expanded her power to the east of Europe. She holds the biggest and most powerful kingdom in the world. She also is the person who encouraged women to stand up for their own battles. Most of her soldiers are women."

Adelina was impressed. "You will be a great king in the future. Make your mother proud."

Gaultier took that as his inspiration. He did want to make his mother proud. He wanted to make her family happy again. "Never give up before you even try. That's my motto."

Adelina smiled as she patted the prince's head.